PETA urges Crystal Palace to retire its eagle mascot

An unexpected crisis has put Crystal Palace’s bald eagle at the centre of a controversy. PETA is calling on the English club to retire its live mascot and end its appearances at events held around matches. The animal rights organisation objects to the use of birds of prey in entertainment at games.

Caris Bennett, PETA’s senior corporate projects director, criticised Phoenix’s role. “Bald eagles are important as a symbol of freedom; yet Phoenix is treated as a mere tool or means of entertaining football fans,” she said. She argued that the bird’s presence in the stands is unjustified: “Crystal Palace already has a human mascot to excite and encourage supporters; there is therefore no justification for dragging a wild animal into a crowded, noisy stadium.”

Bennett also called for the eagle’s involvement in sporting events to end permanently. “PETA is calling on the club to allow Phoenix to spread his wings and retire him permanently from all match-related duties,” she added.

The organisation reportedly argued in a letter to the club that bright lights, loud sounds and noisy crowds make stadiums “unsuitable places for animals”. Its objection concerns the eagle’s presence at sporting events, not simply its status as a club symbol.

Crystal Palace has been associated with the nickname “Eagles” since 1973, after Malcolm Allison, then the team’s coach, decided to replace the club’s former nickname, the “Glaziers”. The name became part of the club’s identity. In August 2024, Phoenix made his first appearance at a Crystal Palace match against West Ham United, when he was four months old. He lives at the Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation in Kent. The foundation had said online that the bird was prepared from the moment he hatched for his role as Crystal Palace’s official live mascot.

PETA also cited an incident in 2015. During a League Cup match between Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic, a Charlton supporter was found guilty of trying to punch the eagle Kayla. The match was marked by disturbances and problems between supporters. Bennett, for her part, condemned the use of Phoenix for entertainment at football matches.